At 69, Ruth Flowers is a sexagenarian who shows no signs of slowing down.
While most people her age are more likely to be pottering in the back shed or stocking up on marker pens for the weekend’s bingo tournament, young Ruth is globetrotting across continents most weekends as the world’s oldest DJ, Mamy Rock.
You’ve said you’re the ‘craziest and oldest’ DJ in the world... define ‘crazy’? I have always been an extrovert. I like to be a little original. I probably am the oldest, but the ‘crazy’ expression was just for fun. I am a little bit crazy, I need to be to do what I am doing, playing all over the world at my age, but I love it ... I think it helps to be a little crazy to take it on.
Did you ever think that you would one day be headlining your own world tour?
No, I did not. Although you can imagine it has been quite an adventure over the past two years. I never imagined such a ‘success’, that the club kids maybe needed something different for their ‘party time’. I really share something with the youngs (sic), and most of the time I dance. I love to dance ... I've played almost 100 gigs all over the world, most of the time at the biggest venues, sometimes the same as David Guetta — in Madrid I played at an enormous club, Fabrik, where David was playing one week after me ... I played last summer in Ibiza at the Privilege, the biggest club in Europe. So no, I never thought it would be as it is now, that I would be requested and play in Japan, Singapore, Los Angeles, New York, Puerto Rico and Europe… this is crazy :)
What set of events led you to becoming a DJ? One day, my grandson invited me to his birthday party. I arrived as the disco was playing, the doorman said: "I don't think you will want to go in there madam". I replied that I certainly would, as it was my grandson’s party. So in I went and what I saw and heard when I entered was a revelation. An energising mix of lights, heavy bass, electronics. I adored it. It was so different from the dances and parties I used to go to when I was younger. There was a real osmosis between the music and the lights, it energised me... made me feel so much younger! This night shattered my view of things, especially the way I saw my life. I had a lot of free time (and) it was an idea I put to my grandson, at the end of his party. His response was: "That would be so cool Nan". A few months later, an acquaintance put me in touch with a young French producer, Orel Simon. He came to London and I told him my idea and he took on the challenge. I wasn't sure about it working but was prepared to give it a go. Orel was convinced and he took me with him. I confess I thought it was a crazy idea, then I thought, ‘what have I to lose, just time’ and that I had, so it began. 
Post DJ set: how does Mamy Rock wind down after an energetic performance? Water or a glass of chardonnay? I never drink before a performance, but I usually enjoy a glass of champagne at the end of the night to celebrate with my team and the management team of the club. It's the moment the pressure is off and the gig is done. So yes, a little glass of champagne fits the bill.
How do you deal with groupies? You do get groupies? Yes. And may I tell you, sometimes it's really crazy. They want to kiss me, hug me, they say: "I want you as my grandma, you are so awesome". I really love people, and I think when you love people they give you love… naturally. I try also to keep my fans from all over the world informed, so I had to be interested by all those social networks ... I keep my fans informed with Twitter. Actually, it's quite funny to have this direct link wherever you are with people. Orel, my manager, bought me an iPad … can you imagine?
Mamy Rock plays The Met Friday March 30 and Sin City April 1.
